Honestly, I get the urge to swap out old valves before they go, but sometimes I think we’re a little too quick to rip stuff out. Here’s my take:
- If it ain’t leaking and you can turn it with a bit of effort (not Hulk strength, just normal “I had coffee this morning” effort), I usually leave it alone. Some of these old brass valves are built like tanks—way better than the cheapo ones at the big box stores now.
- I’ve actually had more trouble with new shutoffs seizing up after a year or two than the crusty originals from the ‘70s. Maybe it’s just my luck, but I swear the old stuff is less finicky.
- That said, if you’re seeing green corrosion or it feels like you’re about to snap it off, yeah, time to replace. But if it’s just stiff? Sometimes a little gentle persuasion and some plumber’s grease does wonders.
Tagging valves...I keep meaning to do that too. Last time I tried, my “system” was blue painter’s tape and a Sharpie. Half the tape fell off after a month and now I have mystery valves again. At this point, I just keep a flashlight and hope for the best.
One thing I’d push back on: opening and closing your main shutoff every few months is great in theory, but if you’ve got an ancient gate valve, sometimes cycling it too much actually makes it leak around the stem. Learned that one when I tried to be proactive and ended up with a slow drip for my trouble.
Water damage is no joke though. Had a washing machine hose burst once while I was at work—came home to what looked like Niagara Falls in my laundry room. Now all my hoses are braided stainless, and I check them way more often than I probably need to.
Maintenance is definitely not glamorous...but neither is explaining to your insurance company why your basement looks like a swimming pool.
I’m with you on not yanking out every old valve just because it’s got some age. I do get a little paranoid, though, after hearing horror stories about hidden leaks. My “system” is basically: 1) check for corrosion or weird green stuff, 2) see if it turns without feeling like I’m arm wrestling, and 3) keep a towel handy just in case. For labeling, I switched to those plastic key tags—way less likely to fall off than tape. And yeah, stainless hoses on the washer are a must. I’d rather be over-cautious than mopping up a flood at midnight...
Burst Pipe Panic: What Would You Do?
I get where you’re coming from about not replacing every single old valve just because it’s got a few years on it. Honestly, I’ve seen some “vintage” shutoffs outlast the shiny new ones, which is wild. But then again, I’ve also walked into a unit after a tenant called about a “drip” and found a full-on geyser under the kitchen sink. That was a fun afternoon. Ever try to find the main shutoff when the basement’s already got two inches of water? Not recommended.
I do wonder if we’re sometimes too trusting of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” logic, though. I mean, how many times do those little leaks start behind a wall or under a floor where you can’t see a thing? I’ve started doing a quick check of every valve and hose during turnovers, but I’ll admit I don’t go hunting for trouble unless there’s a reason. Maybe that’s lazy, maybe it’s practical. Hard to say.
Those plastic key tags are a good call. I used to use masking tape and a Sharpie, but half the time the tape would curl up or get soggy and fall off. Now I just wish I could get tenants to actually read the tags when something goes wrong, instead of just calling me in a panic.
Stainless hoses on the washer are non-negotiable for me, too. I had one of those old rubber ones burst at 3am once. I still have nightmares about that sound. Ever tried to explain to a tenant why their stuff is floating? Not my favorite conversation.
Anyway, curious—do you ever just preemptively swap out valves if you’re already in there for something else, or do you only touch them if there’s an obvious issue? Sometimes I think I’m being too cautious, but then again, every time I skip it I end up regretting it down the line...
I do wonder if we’re sometimes too trusting of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” logic, though.
- Honestly, I’m on the other side of this. I don’t swap out valves unless there’s a clear reason. Old doesn’t always mean bad—some of those brass ones from decades ago are tanks compared to the cheap stuff you get now.
- If I’m already tearing into a wall or replacing a fixture, I’ll check the valve, but unless it’s corroded or stuck, I leave it. I’ve seen more issues from “upgrades” that were actually downgrades.
- The hidden leaks thing is real, but I’d rather keep an eye out for signs (stains, musty smell, water bill spikes) than start replacing everything preemptively. Feels like chasing ghosts sometimes.
- Stainless hoses, though—100% agree. That’s a no-brainer after seeing what happens when one lets go.
- As for labeling, I’ve given up hoping tenants will read anything in a panic. Half the time they call me before even trying the shutoff.
I get the urge to be cautious, but sometimes leaving well enough alone is the smarter move. Too much “preventative” work can backfire, especially with today’s parts.
- I hear you on the old brass valves—some of those are practically indestructible, and I’ve seen newer ones seize up after just a few years.
- One thing I do differently: if I’m already in there and the valve’s got any sign of mineral buildup or it feels gritty when you turn it, I’ll swap it. Had a “looks fine” valve snap off in my hand once during an emergency, and that was a nightmare with water everywhere.
- Stainless hoses are non-negotiable for me too. The cheap rubber ones just aren’t worth the risk.
- Labeling is hit or miss, especially in rentals. I’ve started color-coding handles instead—seems to help a bit, but yeah, people still panic.
Curious—do you ever pressure-test after replacing valves or just trust your soldering/compression fittings?
